Washington DC (VNA) – The Vietnam – US defence policy dialogue washeld at the US Department of Defence in Washington DC on December 11,discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern and measures toboost cooperation in the time ahead.
The dialogue took place under the chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister ofNational Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh and US Assistant Secretary ofDefence Randall Shriver.
Vinh spoke highly of the efforts made by both sides in implementing the dioxindetoxification project at Bien Hoa airport, which was kicked off on December 5.
He suggested both sides step up current cooperation, especially the dioxinremediation work to ensure that the project will be completed in accordancewith schedule.
Vinh took the occasion to introduce Vietnam’s 2019 White Paper on NationalDefence, and the country’s initiatives in the ASEAN Year 2020, asking the US tosupport Vietnam so that the country could successfully complete its role as theASEAN Chair next year.
For his part, Randall Shriver affirmed the US always values the comprehensivepartnership with Vietnam, and hopes for a strong, independent and prosperousVietnam with an increasingly important role in the Indo-Pacific region.
As defence cooperation has been a highlight in the Vietnam – US relations, hepledged further collaboration with Vietnam to develop the defence ties in amore result-oriented and effective fashion in the coming time, particularly inmaritime security, UN peacekeeping activities and humanitarian aid.
The US sees settlement of war consequences as a focus and the foundation of thedefence cooperation, he said, expressing his gratitude to Vietnam’s support inthe search for missing servicemen.
He stressed the US recognises and backs Vietnam’s initiatives in the ASEAN Year2020, and as a member of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ), theUS will enhance cooperation with ADMM member states in order to develop theADMM in a practical manner, contributing to the regional peace, stability anddevelopment.
Vietnam and the US will mark the 25th anniversary of their diplomaticrelations in 2020; therefore, the two sides will organise celebrationactivities in the field of defence in line with programmes agreed by leaders ofboth nations.
In the framework of the dialogue, Vinh paid a courtesy visit to Senator PatrickLeahy, the ranking member of the AppropriationsCommittee of the US Senate; and met US Assistant Secretary of StateChristopher Ashley Ford.
Besides, he had working sessions with UN Under-Secretary-General forOperational Support Atul Khare on December 12./.